Posted by Josh SeidemanncloseAuthor: Josh SeidemannName: Josh SeidemannEmail: JSeidemann@ntca.orgSite:http://www.ntca.orgAbout: Joshua Seidemann is NTCA’s Vice President of Policy and contributes frequently to the New Edge. He has previously written for video and cellular trade press, and usually avoids disclosing that he is a lawyer.See Authors Posts (215) on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 ·

CES has a soundtrack. The contest winner’s music is featured as the “music bed” for the keynote video and also receives $5,000. This year’s winner performs prior to the keynote address.

(Las Vegas) I forget each year how long it can take to get from Point A to Point B in Las Vegas. And, each succeeding year, I fail to learn my lessons. The monorail is fast, fair and efficient (drinks on me to whoever identifies the source of that phrase!), but the stations are accessible only by walking through the casinos; Uber (along with Lyft) is available for the first time in Las Vegas this year (Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA claimed partial responsibility for that), but with approximately 140,000 attendees here (not including exhibitors and staff), surge pricing is the norm; and, the CES shuttles between venues make multiple stops along their respective routes. If nothing else, I have an opportunity to observe and interact with other participants while riding the monorail, bus or waiting for a car.

The title of this article refers to the adrenaline rush that actors experience before taking the stage (I am familiar with it only because my college theater group performed a play whose title is a riff on the phrase, “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd;” like Frank Horrigan (see, CES 2016-4), I had to look it up). The phrase may well describe, even if only partially, the atmosphere at CES. Read more

Posted by Josh SeidemanncloseAuthor: Josh SeidemannName: Josh SeidemannEmail: JSeidemann@ntca.orgSite:http://www.ntca.orgAbout: Joshua Seidemann is NTCA’s Vice President of Policy and contributes frequently to the New Edge. He has previously written for video and cellular trade press, and usually avoids disclosing that he is a lawyer.See Authors Posts (215) on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 ·

(Las Vegas) In the 1993 film “In the Line of Fire,” Clint Eastwood enjoys a memorable exchange with co-star Rene Russo:

Similarly, I had to look up the definition of a “break in a wave.” I sensed from the context of today’s panel on telehealth that it had a positive connotation (as in an observation by Jill Thorpe of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips that “in 2015, there was a break in the telemedicine wave”). So, here it is, according to Wikipedia:

A map of states (blue) that have adopted a model telemedicine compact. Legislatures in the orange states are considering the issue actively.

What was that break, specifically? In the first half of 2015, the number of telemedicine interactions exceeded the cumulative amount of all that had preceded that point. One might argue about the data sources, but even anecdotal data and action last year by many state legislatures indicates that telemedicine is taking off. The drivers that will determine the ultimate impact include consumer expectations, health care reform, health workforce shortages, aging and connectivity. For better or for worse, chronic diseases will also play a role.

A Nielsen survey probed doctors’ opinions on telemedicine. The news is positive. While 19 percent of those polled worried that telemedicine would not be good for their practice revenue, and 21 percent worried it would not be good their personal income, 22 percent saw telemedicine as an important step toward reducing the costs of care, and 39 percent surmised it is good for patients. And impressive 42 percent see telemedicine as “an important evolution in the practice of medicine,” which is heartening since 31 percent shrugged that is “not worth the hype.” But, since “hype” is qualitative (maybe those respondents see it as worth some hype, but not a lot of hype), I’ll place my bets with those who view it as part of the future. Read more

Posted by Josh SeidemanncloseAuthor: Josh SeidemannName: Josh SeidemannEmail: JSeidemann@ntca.orgSite:http://www.ntca.orgAbout: Joshua Seidemann is NTCA’s Vice President of Policy and contributes frequently to the New Edge. He has previously written for video and cellular trade press, and usually avoids disclosing that he is a lawyer.See Authors Posts (215) on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 ·

(Las Vegas) CES kicked off in earnest yesterday with back-to-back presentations by Shawn DuBravac, chief economist of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) (the new moniker of the Consumer Electronics Association, which hosts CES) and Steve Koenig, CTA’s senior director. The two explored, respectively, tech trends to watch in 2016 and the global CE industry. The presentations helped form, or at least confirm, the context in which I am trolling the show. Less compelling was the Apple vs. Microsoft debate two people behind me were having. When they asked me my opinion, I pointed to my Blackberry and shrugged.

As I have mentioned previously, CES features all manner of consumer electronics, so if one ventures far enough off the beaten track to the edges of the hall, one can see rice steamers and toaster ovens. At a reception last night, one vendor was showing off a juicer that features a scale which alerts the user to stop adding milk. Or honey. Or fruit. Of course, a line on the side of the measuring-cup accomplishes the same task, but the gleaming silver base with blue lights was far more attractive.

CTA’s Steve Koenig prepares to speak as a standing-room only crowd of press and industry analysts primes itself with a series of industry overviews before the show opens.

The dichotomy between measuring-cup lines and the electronics in the juicer was representative of a trend noted by DuBravac in his address: though we are surrounded by digital devices, we continue to live in an analogue world.

DuBravac’s observation was woven from statistics and an overview of the past half-century of the consumer electronics industry. It seems that every year, major TV network evening news reports cover CES, often including in their stories information about the latest, largest, sharpest TV. And, I am not saying that a 60” curved screen with frighteningly clear resolution is not meaningful, but as DuBravac noted, the difference between the past 10 or 15 years and today is that we are no longer focused on what is technically possible – instead, we are thinking about what is technically meaningful. Read more

Posted by Josh SeidemanncloseAuthor: Josh SeidemannName: Josh SeidemannEmail: JSeidemann@ntca.orgSite:http://www.ntca.orgAbout: Joshua Seidemann is NTCA’s Vice President of Policy and contributes frequently to the New Edge. He has previously written for video and cellular trade press, and usually avoids disclosing that he is a lawyer.See Authors Posts (215) on Monday, January 4, 2016 ·

(Las Vegas) Well, the CES organizers threw me a curveball this year. Increased security procedures compelled me to leave Miss MOLLE at home for the first time. Miss MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) is my three-day assault pack, a formidable bag into which I have crammed three days’ worth of gear for previous CES shows. Its many pockets devour clothing, snacks, papers and a laptop, while numerous exterior loops and Velcro fasteners accept attachments of smaller packs into which cables, cameras equipment and spare batteries can be packed. CES organizers, however, responding to both national and international events (terrorism), placed strict limits on the size of bags that can be brought into the show floor this year, and Miss MOLLE exceeds the max size. Although there is a mechanism for credentialed press to obtain an exemption following a full bag check, it was not clear whether my “analyst” badge (which accords all privileges as are enjoyed by press) would extend to the bag exemption. So, for this year, Miss MOLLE stays at home and gently weeps, while I split my essentials into a smaller backpack and a half-empty carry-on.

Within hours, these crates and plastic will be replaced by throngs pressing toward the expo hall and meeting rooms.

At a recurring industry meeting when I was new to the field, a staffer confided that after a while, the meetings tend to blur together. At the time, I could not understand – every segment of the meeting seemed intricately planned, the venues changed from year to year and the roster of speakers and activities engaged participants fully. But, several years later, I saw that behind every session, luncheon, expo event and keynote, there is a process and formula to getting the job done. So, while the content would be refreshed each year to reflect the latest market trends, regulatory evolutions and technological advancements, the business of getting the show off the ground depended upon perhaps less exciting but as critical processes that over time settled into a known set of actions. Read more

Posted by Josh SeidemanncloseAuthor: Josh SeidemannName: Josh SeidemannEmail: JSeidemann@ntca.orgSite:http://www.ntca.orgAbout: Joshua Seidemann is NTCA’s Vice President of Policy and contributes frequently to the New Edge. He has previously written for video and cellular trade press, and usually avoids disclosing that he is a lawyer.See Authors Posts (215) on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 ·

Attending CES as an analyst brings numerous emails to my in-box from PR reps and firms vying for attention. I was kind of flattered through the first 50 or so messages, but the average number of messages per day increases as CES draws closer, and at this point it requires some dedicated time in the afternoon to quickly scan and sift those that warrant more attention and those that can be relegated quickly to the trash bin.

Booths I probably will not visit: recall, CES is “Consumer Electronics Show,” and while in my parochial view of the world I tend to interpret that as “broadband enabled and connected,” it includes virtually any item that has a cord or a battery. Electric toothbrushes? Check. Double-walled hot water urns? Check. Projectors that enable families to view cartoons against a living room wall? Check. And, all manner of cell phone cases and other products that seem to exist only to provide a forum for Hello Kitty (my favorite CES memory is of a booth in the far reaches of one of the distant show floors – it was empty, expect for two chairs and a bearded man who was offering blessings to convention goers. I watched for a few minutes, and indeed a few hopeful souls bowed their heads with him).

So, I beg forgiveness of the toothbrush guy (though last year I did speak with a “connected toothbrush” manufacturer) and the fellow hawking the new coffee maker – unless, of course, I can direct a double-shot espresso from my phone. My eyes will be on the items that are geared toward healthcare, education, security and IoT.

Posted by Josh SeidemanncloseAuthor: Josh SeidemannName: Josh SeidemannEmail: JSeidemann@ntca.orgSite:http://www.ntca.orgAbout: Joshua Seidemann is NTCA’s Vice President of Policy and contributes frequently to the New Edge. He has previously written for video and cellular trade press, and usually avoids disclosing that he is a lawyer.See Authors Posts (215) on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 ·

Traditionally, New Edge does not publish during the last week of December. But, that does not mean that we cannot load you up with some news and expectations . . .

Reports from CES

Start the New Year with live-blog reports from CES, with a focus on health, smart home and IoT. Reporting will begin January 4, 2016.

Municipal Broadband: A Toolkit for Incumbent Rural Providers

Upcoming New Edge “E-Paper” will explore opportunities for rural communications providers in municipal broadband network initiatives. Serial installments are intended to serve as a toolkit for rural broadband providers who may be considering working with municipalities outside of the broadband provider’s incumbent service area, and include an open source document to which readers are encouraged to comment and contribute.

We’re Moving!

In 2016, New Edge will be published with NTCA’s Exchange blog in a multi-media blog format. Details coming soon!

Posted by Josh SeidemanncloseAuthor: Josh SeidemannName: Josh SeidemannEmail: JSeidemann@ntca.orgSite:http://www.ntca.orgAbout: Joshua Seidemann is NTCA’s Vice President of Policy and contributes frequently to the New Edge. He has previously written for video and cellular trade press, and usually avoids disclosing that he is a lawyer.See Authors Posts (215) on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 ·

I’d wager that at least several times a year, I slap my head and wonder whether I remembered to activate all of the automatic responses that alert colleagues and clients that I am out of the office. This usually happens on Sunday night as I am packing a bag, but sometimes occurs as I am pulling out of the garage before a long weekend. Fortunately, I can alter my voice and email messages from the road, so I am never far from the ability to fix what I forgot.

Of course, I never amend my personal email or home answering machine, since that would be somewhat akin to leaving a big sign on the front door that reads, “Come on in! No one is home!” And, to be sure, every so often someone posts a “You could learn from this . . . ” story somewhere about the family that posted a string of photos and updates of their vacation on social media only to return home to evidence that someone took advantage of the opportunity they advertised.

Experts are now warning some industries to take similar precautions at work.

Today’s Wall Street Journal reports that banks, in particular, are taking a hard look at practices many deemed responsible, if not unquestionable benefits of an automated world. “Out of office” messages? They might be a signal to hacker that a work station is not occupied. And, it need not be an electronic hack; if there is a such thing as an “analogue” hack, a cold seat at the cubicle could invite a quick cell phone picture of sensitive documents.

According to the Journal, the banking industry is increasing its anti-breach vigilance, especially after J.P. Morgan suffered a breach that affected 76 million households. And, the trouble with banks, so to speak, is that they’re not simply a gateway to personal financial data – they are personal financial data.

Telling is a comment of John Stumpf, Wells Fargo, on cyber-security spending: “It is the only expense where I ask if it’s enough.”

As is the case with any security system, human attention is the last bulwark against a breach; and, human error is the first line of defense to fail.

Some firms are now engaging the assistance of experts who set up surreptitious training exercises in which employees are tested to determine whether they reply to dubious emails from their desk or are susceptible to phishing or other scams.